BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Review | Specs | Price

BlackBerry Storm2

As is, the BlackBerry Storm 2 is certainly an improvement over its .Verizon also has the Samsung Omnia 2 and two Google Android devices on tap before the end of the year, which might prove to be some heavy competition for the Storm 2. Though specific details weren't released, we expect the RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 to ship in October for around the same price as the original Storm, which was about $200 with a two-year contract. We'll let you know as soon as we have the information, and we'll update the review after receiving the final product.

BlackBerry Storm2 9250

Verdict

Pros:	Great User Interface Enhancements SurePress touch screen allows for more precision, key rollover, and multitouch capabilities.Wi-Fi,
Cons:	GPS Performance is above average
Outline	Updated software and a better touch interface might keep it in good competition

BlackBerry Storm2 Specs(9520)

2GNetwork---------->GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3GNetwork---------->HSDPA 2100

Available------------>Available. 2009 October

OS------------------->BlackBerry OS

Dimensions-------->112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm

Weight-------------->160 g

Display-------------->TFT capacitive touchscreen, 65K colors
Size----------------->480 x 360 pixels, 3.25 inches
Internal------------->2 GB,256MB of flash Rom

Cardslot------------->microSD (TransFlash)

WLAN--------------->Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g,

Java----------------->Yes
Camera------------->3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash

Secondary---------->No

Video--------------->Yes
Bluetooth----------->Yes, v2.1 with A2DP
Infraredport-------->No
AudioJack---------->3.5 mm audio jack
USB----------------->micro USB v2.0
Battery------------->Li-Ion 1400 mAh

Stand-by----------->Up to 305 h (2G) / Up to 280 h (3G)

Talktime----------->Up to 5 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G)

Price ---------------> Free For a Contract of £35 For 2 yrs approx

Verizon,Vodafone,..

BlackBerry Storm2 Reviews

The Storm 2 has been made a lot sleeker than its predecessor, reducing the size of the device and recessing the 3.5mm headphone jack. Anecdotal evidence suggested the volume control buttons fell off the original Storm, and RIM has rectified this by placing them within the chassis as rubberized keys.Based on four internal mechanical sensors, it's a complete overhaul from the original SurePress, which basically had one large clickable button that the whole screen moved up and down on to register clicks.The electronic SurePress technology also allows for key rollover and faster typing. This means you can now press two keys at once, so for example, if you want to capitalize a letter, you can now hold down the Shift key while pressing the letter key instead of having to do it one at a time like before. The Storm 2 also supports multitouch for copy/paste so you can place one finger at the beginning of the text and then the other at the end of the selection and then cut/copy/paste. Some other user interface enhancements include inertial scrolling with snap back and updated spin boxes for the clock, date, calendar, more animated transitions, and so forth. The navigation controls (Talk and End keys, back button, and BlackBerry menu key) are also integrated into SurePress so they're no longer separate buttons; holding down the BlackBerry menu button will also bring up the application switcher.

SurePress certainly sets the BlackBerry Storm apart from the crowd, and we understand the concept behind it, as it makes the transition for traditional QWERTY BlackBerry users to an all touch-screen phone easier. However, it takes some acclimation and similar to the SureType keyboards, we think it's something you'll either learn to like or hate.

The display itself measures 3.2 inches diagonally and has a half-VGA resolution (480x360). The glass capacitive touch screen also features a built-in accelerometer and a proximity sensor (RIM calls it face detection) so the screen will turn off when you're on a phone call to prevent accidental mispresses. Along the top edge of the Storm 2 is a power/lock button and a mute button; there's a microUSB port along the left spine and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the right. Finally, the SIM card and microSD expansion slots are located behind the battery cover.

BlackBerry Storm2 Features
The RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 brings several notable additions in the features department, including built-in Wi-Fi, more memory, and an updated operating system that brings a number of enhancements to the smartphone's various applications and some of the aforementioned UI improvements. We'll discuss some of the highlights of BlackBerry OS 5.0 below as we talk about the smartphone's functions, but before doing so, RIM said a software update will be made available for current Storm owners. However, it will be up to the specific carriers to determine when and if they release it.

The Storm 2, the smartphone is the first CDMA BlackBerry to offer Wi-Fi. There are some who question the need for Wi-Fi when a device has 3G support and we always say, why not? It provides faster speeds and there will be times when you may be out of a 3G coverage zone, so it's nice to know that you have an alternative method of getting online. We're also glad to see that Verizon is offering more Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, since it's been a little stingy in the past.

JavaScript is also enabled by default now. In addition, the browser supports BlackBerry widgets and Google Gears. There was some talk that OS 5.0 would bring tabbed browsing to BlackBerrys, but we didn't see it on our version. Also, while RIM has joined Adobe's Open Screen Project to bring Flash Player to its browser, the company said it still has a long road of work ahead. It does support real-time streaming protocol.

the Storm 2 is a world phone and ships with a SIM card. The handset's dual-mode functionality allows it to automatically switch from Verizon's dual-band CDMA network here in the States to international quad-band GSM networks, so you can still make calls and receive data while traveling. In addition to voice coverage, the BlackBerry Storm 2 supports the 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA band, so you can get 3G support overseas, while working on Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network domestically. In all, you'll get voice coverage in 220 countries and data coverage (e-mail and Internet) in 175 countries. As always, be sure to check the international roaming rates for voice calls and text messages before you head off on your trip: Verizon's rates can get pretty pricey in some areas, ranging from 69 cents up to $4.99 per minute. You can find the carrier's international plans here.

Video playback on the HVGA screen is pretty darn good too, as is the music playback thanks to BlackBerry Media Sync being able to bring all your tunes across to the Storm 2 easily. The menu system for selecting tracks and videos is a little basic, but it was important RIM got the media experience right on its flagship touchscreen device, and it's largely done this.

The microSD expansion slot can accept up to 32GB cards, so you can sideload plenty of music and video files onto the BlackBerry Storm 2. The built-in media player supports MP3, WMA, WMA ProPlus, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+ files, and MPEG4, WMV, and H.264 video clips. There's a search function, playlist creation, shuffle and repeat, and you get a full-screen mode for video playback. You can purchase and download songs over the air through V Cast Music or stream music from various sites. The included software CD also contains a copy of Roxio Easy Media Creator, so you can create MP3s from CDs and add audio tags.

Conclusion

Overall, the Storm 2 is very much an improvement over the original Storm, but it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary, despite overhauling the SurePress interface. We like the accuracy improvements, but we're still not sure the clickable screen is the next step in touchscreen evolution.

Full web browsing and widescreen video are good, and the Storm 2 handles them with aplomb, but the likes of the Bold are always going to be better for RIM than the Storm range.

Storm 2 Video Review

BlackBerry Storm 2 Official page: [Link]

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